Canopy



V. STlGLlN Aug. 27, 1963 CANOPY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 8. 1960 INVEN TOR.

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Aug. 27, 1963 v. s'rlGLlN 3,101,731

CANOPY Filed Nov. 8. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/NTOR. v/A/CEA/r sr/caL/A/ United States Patent O 3,101,731 i CANOPY Vincent Stiglin, 532 51st St., West New York, NJ. Fired Nov. s, 1960, ser. No. 63,049 3 Claims. (Cl. 13S-5) This invention relates to a canopy and refers more particularly to a retractable twin awning or outdoor canopy.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a canopy which is a retractable twin canopy, so that it can shade and expose selectively, thereby providing sunshine or shade substantially at the same spot.

Another object of the present invention is the provi sion of a permanent twin outdoor canopy which is selfstoring, in that it is sutliciently slirn and compact when drawn up, so that it will not require substantial storage spaced when removed from site, as is the case with conventional sun umbrellas.

Another object is the provision of a canopy which is so constructed that all its actuating parts are effectively protected from rain and sun, and which is sufficiently sturdy to withstand substantial storms and winds.

A further object is the provision of a twin awning wherein either side or both sides may be lowered down or raised selectively for shade or sunshine.

Yet another object is the provision of an outdoor canopy which due to its construction is particularly suitable for patios, swimming pools, gardens, gas stations, beaches, rest areas, and many other outdoor establishments and areas.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a canopy which has no easily breakable parts, which requires little attention and which provides the least possible problems of seasonal handling, storage and breakage.

A further object is the provision of an awning which when open will provide adequate circulation of air in all directions, and which will provide an effective up-draft escape for sudden gusts of wind.

`Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

in accomplishing the objects of the present invention it was found desirable to provide a canopy which is supported by two posts rmly embedded in the ground. Each post carries a flange which is rmly connected vertically to the top portion of the post, with the two flanges facing andextending toward each other and being in alinement in the longitudinal vertical plane of the canopy. The

posts carry all the operational machinery of the canopy,

including the ends of two elongated angle irons which support a one-piece sheet metal hood serving as a covering for all movable parts, particularly the canvas-carryirng rollers. The rollers are connected by gudgeons with blank ends a-nd worm gears carried by the lianges, the construction being such that one-half of the canopy can be easily raised and lowered independently of the other half. Bars carried by the fabrics are connected with ends of a set of awning arms, the other ends of the set being carried by one of the flanges.l Preferably, there are four such sets, supported by opposite sides of the two anges back to back, held by one set of bolts. The arms may be of the accordion type, or they may consist of articulated tubular arms.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanyu'ng drawing showing, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a twin outdoor ice canopy constituting the subject matter of the present in- Vention.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the canopy with the fabric rolled up, some parts being shown as broken off.

- FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view of the top portion of one of the posts, some parts being shown in section.

FIGURE 4 is a section along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2, on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is an end View, showing one half of the awning open and other rolled up.

FIGURE 6 is a side View of one of the posts, showing a somewhat different construction.4

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the canopy of FIG- URE 6.

The twin canopy of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 5 is carried by two identical posts 10 and 11; each of the posts is made of galvanized pipe, although ornamental wrought iron or other suitable materials may be effectively employed. The posts 10 and 11 carry slip over ball caps 12 and 13, respectively.

Obviously, the size of the canopy and of its posts 10 and 111 may be varied depending upon the individual requirements. However, for average requirements it was found desirable to provide posts having a height of l0 feet 6 inches, which are embedded in holes dug in the ground and lined with concrete, leaving above ground a height of about 8 feet 61/2 inches. The canopy should preferably extend in a north-south direction, and the distance between posts, which is determined by the length of the top structure hereinafter described, may be about 10y feet.

IIn accordance with the present invention, each of the posts lll' and 111 carries a flange 14 and 15, respectively, which is welded to the post close to the top portion thereof, so that it extends centrally in relation to the circumference of the post. When the canopy is assembled, the anges 14 and 15 carried by the posts ltl alnd 11, respectively, extend toward each other and are located in the same longitudinal plane of the canopy. An important feature of this invention is that all the operational hardware is carried by the two anges.

When posts of the above indicated size are used, the flange 14 (FIG. 3) may have a height of 2 feet 8 inches, the length of its upper edge 16 being 6l inches and the length of its lower edge 17 being 4 inches. The lower corner 18 of the flange is rounded.

The anges 14 and 15 carry close to the upper edge 16 a row of horizontal holes for the attachment of the angle iron, top structure 19, 2t) and worm gears 39, 40, or blank ends 41, A42 and two pairs of vertically disposed holes for the attachment of pivots supporting the awning arms 43 and 44.

The top structure comprises two angle irons 19 and 20 which `are maintained parallel to each other by spacers 21 carried by bolts 22 which extend thnough alined holes provided in the angle irons. Other Ibolts 2'5 connect the lang-le irons 19` .and 20' to the anges 14 an-d 15.

A one piece sheet metal hood 24 is located over Ithe vangle irons 19 `and Z0 and -is firmly connected therewith by bolts .25 extending through alined open-ings provided .in the hood and the angle irons. Opposite transverse edges of the l1-ood :are provided with central semi-circular portions 26 and Z7 embracing adjacent outer surfaces of the posts 16 and 1.1 to prov-ide adequate protection to the parts under the hood. The longitudinal led-ges 28 and 29 of the hood 24 `are bent downwardly, then lout- Iwardly and then downwardly again to provide ya stepped formation.

The one piece hood 2'4 covers fall Ithe movable parts of the device, Ias well as all the canvas work when it is rolled up and partially when it is drawn down, so 'as to protect it from rain. Furthermore, vwhen the awning is open, winds striking the Iawning from or at rthe underside will be directed upwardly and will `escape through the space provided between the bottom of the hood 24 and the canvas carrying rollers 32` and 33. Thus the hood provides venting in case of a sudden wind and also facilitates normal air circula-tion.

lt should be noted that the proper dimensioning and positioning of the iianges le `and relatively to the posts lil and 11 and to the frame assembly, as well as the llocation of the bore holes upon the flanges `and the size and shape cf the hood 24, are mos-t important to provide an effective canopy and to assure its successful operation.

The two canvas sections 36 and 3l are carried by the steel-tubing rollers -32 and 33, respectively. The fabrics 30 Iand 3l may consist of mildew-proof canvas duck, impregnated or ycoated with vinyl on both sides. The inner edges of the lfabrics 33 and 31 are iirinly attached to the rollers by shaped nails indicated diagrarrnnatically at 3d (FIG. 4) and fitting tightly into correspondingly shaped holes provided in the rollers 32 and 33. One end of the tubular roller 32 carries a gudgeon 35 While fthe lother end of the roller 32 carries a gndgeon 36. The rolle-r 33 carries at its ends gudgeons 37 and 33. The Igudgeons `are held iirmly within the rollers preferably by rivets `or thin bol-ts (not shown). Gudgeons 35 and 37 are of the same ltype while gudgeo-ns 3o and 38 are also of the same type, but dierent from the gudgeons 35 and 37. In the example illustrated, the flange 14 of the post It) carries worm .gears 39 and 40 for actuating the awning7 while the flange l5 of the post 1l carries blank ends il and 42 for supporting the ends of the rollers 32 and 33. Consequently, gudgeons 35 .and 37 are provided with square holes (not shown) for the worm gears 39 and 40, while gudgeons 36 and 38` have protruding pins .for the blank ends il and 42.

It is apparent that this arrangement may be varied, if desired, namely, the worm -gears may be located :at the opposite end, or at both rends. Y

The worm gears 39 and 40 are mounted back to back upon the flange M land are held iirmly by bolts. It is important t-hat the mechanism in one worin `gear be reversed, so that `both sides of the awning can be operated from, and at, the same post.

Since the par-ts 32 to i2 are known in the art, they are indicated diagrammatically in the drawings.

There are four sets of awning ar-ms used to support the canvas sections 30 and 3l in the fopen position, Itwo sets being carried back to back by the ange 14, while the other Itwo are also carried back to back by the flange l5; since they are all the same, only one of the sets Will be described in detail.

The flange 14 carries two arms 43 and 44 located one above the other and extending outwardly in a plane perpendicular to that .of the flange. Two simil-ar arms 413 and 44 are located on the opposite side of the flange. These arms are attached to hinge iittings bolted back to back. The arm yd3 `is provided with an extension 45 pivot-ally connected to `an end of an arm 461, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm 47. rllie arm 47 has an extension d8 which is pivotally connected to an arm 49 connected to the arms 43 and d4. The other end of the arm 47 is connected to a finont bar 50 most of the length of which is concealed in a loop of the front edges of the canvas 3u. The arm 47, preferably, has the length of 23S/s inches lfrom its end to its pivot, the size of the other arms depending on the size of the canopy.

While any suitable -means may be used to attach the arrns L1117 to the front bars 50, it was found advantageous to use so-c-alled jaw pin end fittings well known in the art, which are attached to threaded ends of the bars 59. The bars `50 may be hollow `and contain inne-r iron rods to increase the operational Weight.

The canopy may be supplied with electrical illuminatended position.

tion (not shown) by overhead or underground means and through the use of wiring located within one of the posts l@ and lit. The electrical lamps may be conveniently located-between the rollers 32 `and 33.

It is advisable to galvanize all metal parts o-f the canopy by the hot-dip process. Then they should be coated with a primer suitable as a base .for any suitable final coat of paint. y

Operation Operation of the described canopy is `extremely easy, las is apparent Ifrom the above description. The operator uses a winding brace provided with an extension rod (not shown) to turn the Worm gear 39 or the worm gear do with the result that either the roller 32 or the roller 33 will fbe `actuated -to unnoll or wind the fabric 30 or 31. The movement of the front bars 50 carried by the fabrics 3d and 31 is transmitted to the arms 43 to 47 which are in folded position Iwhen the fabric is wound up and which unfold `gradually as the fabric is being unrolled. When the canopy has been drawn down as far as the lfolding Iarms permit, it should be cranked up slightly to get the fabric taut and straight.

It is apparent that the shapes and dimensions of the ilanges, top structure, frame assembly and hood in their relation to the posts change with the selected size of the canopy.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a canopy which instead of having sets of folding arms 43 to 47, is provided with tubular, articulated awning arms described in greater detail in Patents Nos. 1,759,715; 1,993,183 and 2,123,828. In other respects the canopy is essentially the same as the one previously described. It comprises posts and 111 carrying flanges Ma, which extend toward each other in the longitudinal direction of the canopy. However, flanges 14a are substantially shorter than the flange 14 shown in FIG. 3.

.The anges Ma carry angle irons `19 which support the one piece metal hood 214. Furthermore, the ilanges '14a carry the usual gudgeons Iand worm gear 39.

However, in this construction the angle irons carry two double face plates y5,1 which are spaced from the posts and one of which is shown in lFIGURE 6. Each of the plates 5l carries back to back two brackets 52. Each bracket 52 carries a separate tubular, articulated awning arm consisting of two separate parts 53 and 54 joined by a spring controlled central hinge 55. The outer ends of the arm parts 54 are attached to the front bars `5() of the awning 39 and 3'1. As the awnings Wind up on the rollers 32 and 33, respectively, the lateral arms fold horizontally underneath the rollers, with the outer part 514 parallel with the roller. This is accomplished by the oblong shape of the holes (not shown) provided in the brackets 52 and carrying the arm parts l153. The center spring control (not shown) provided by the hinge 55 helps to unfold the arm and to keep it in its correct ex- Furtherrnore, the hinge 55 looks the arm in the projected position. In the example illustrated there are four tubular, articulated arms 53, 54, two of the arms being lefts rand two rights, whereby the arms fold toward the center of the canopy. Y

It is apparent that various other modifications and variations may be made within the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A canopy, comprising two vertical posts, a separate flange carried by each post, said flanges extending toward each other and being in alinment, rollers-actuating means carried by one of said anges, roller-supporting means carried by the other one of said flanges, two angle irons having vertically extending parallel portions and alined horizontal portions, two rollers located on opposite sides of said angle irons, a hood carried by said alined horizontal portions of the angle irons and having Ibent edges extending over said rollers, said rollers having adjacent ends supported by said roller-actuating means and other adjacent ends carried by said roller-supporting means, two canvases, each canvas having an inner end connected to a separate roller and adapted to be Wound thereon and unwound by the roller-actuating means, and four sets of foldable arms, two of said sets having ends pivotally supported upon opposite surfaces of one of said flanges, .the other two sets having ends pivotally supported upon opposite surfaces of the other one of said flanges, means connecting other ends of the xst mentioned two sets with the outer ends of said canvases at one side, and means connecting other ends of said other two sets with the outer ends of the canvases at the other side.

2. A canopy in accordance with claim 1, said sets consist of sets of tubular, articulated lateral awning arms adapted to fold parallel to said vertical plane when said canvas is folded.

3. A twin canopy comprising, in combination, two vertical posts, a separate flange rmly connected to each post adjacent the top thereof, the ilanges of the two posts extending toward each other and being located in the central longitudinal plane of the canopy, each of said flanges having upper holes and at least one lower hole, a separate 25 2,123,828

pair of angle irons for each (flange, means engaging said angle irons and some of said upper holes for connecting said angle irons to said Iflanges While supporting the tops of said angle irons above said ilanges, a single hood located upon the tops of said angle irons and firmly connected with said angle irons, said hood having opposed semi-circular end portions embracing said posts, the side portions of said hood having steps extending in the direction of the canopy, a pair of rollers, separate gudgeons in opposite ends of said rollers and connected with said rollers, worm gears connected with other upper holes of at least one of said anges and operatively engaging at least two gudgeons connected with separate rollers, separate canvas sections carried by said rollers and having inner edges rmly connected Iwith said rollers, said rollers and the canvas sections carried by the rollers being spaced from said hood and being adapted to be located under said hood, bars carried by outer ends of said can vas sections, and sets of interconnected awning arms, said sets having outer ends connected to said bars and inner ends connected to the lower holes of said anges.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 108,639 schurr er a1. oct. 25, 1870 1,225,917 Barker May 15, 1917 2,029,886 Marshall Feb. 4, 19136v Gibson July 12, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,432 Great Britain Dec. 2/0, 1915 

1. A CANOPY, COMPRISING TWO VERTICAL POSTS, A SEPARATE FLANGE CARRIED BY EACH POST, SAID FLANGES EXTENDING FORWARD EACH OTHER AND BEING IN ALINMENT, ROLLERS-ACTUATING MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAID FLANGES, ROLLER-SUPPORTING MEANS CARRIED BY THE OTHER ONE OF SAID FLANGES, TWO ANGLE IRONS HAVING VERTICALLY EXTENDING PARALLEL PORTIONS AND ALINED HORIZONTAL PORTIONS, TWO ROLLERS LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ANGLE IRONS, A HOOD CARRIED BY SAID ALINED HORIZONTAL PORTIONS OF THE ANGLE IRONS AND HAVING BENT EDGES EXTENDING OVER SAID ROLLERS, SAID ROLLERS HAVING ADJACENT ENDS SUPPORTED BY SAID ROLLER-ACTUATING MEANS AND OTHER ADJACENT ENDS CARRIED BY SAID ROLLER-SUPPORTING MEANS, TWO CANVASES, EACH CANVAS HAVING AN INNER END CONNECTED TO A SEPARATE ROLLER AND ADAPTED TO BE WOUND THEREON AND UNWOUND BY THE ROLLER-ACTUATING MEANS, AND FOUR SETS OF FOLDABLE ARMS, TWO OF SAID SETS HAVING ENDS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED UPON OPPOSITE SURFACES OF ONE OF SAID FLANGES, THE OTHER TWO SETS HAVING ENDS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED UPON OPPOSITE SURFACES OF THE OTHER ONE OF SAID FLANGES, MEANS CONNECTING OTHER ENDS OF THE FIRST MENTIONED TWO SETS WITH THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID CANVASES AT ONE SIDE, AND MEANS CONNECTING OTHER ENDS OF SAID OTHER TWO SETS WITH THE OUTER ENDS OF THE CANVASES AT THE OTHER SIDE. 